Heart failure (HF) can be defined as the inability of the heart to provide sufficient forward output to meet the perfusion and oxygenation requirements of the tissues while maintaining normal filling pressures. There are two major cardiac mechanisms by which this can occur.

●Systolic dysfunction, in which there is impaired cardiac contractile function

●Diastolic dysfunction, in which there is abnormal cardiac relaxation, stiffness or filling

To continue reading this article, you must log in with your personal, hospital,
or group practice subscription. For more information or to purchase a personal subscription, click below on
the option that best describes you: